Laws vary from state to state but students who participate in school athletic activities (sports) are generally considered (under state law) to have assumed or agreed to the risks inherent in such activities. Student athletes are also often required to sign a form acknowledging the risks in the activity, assuming liability for their own potential personal injuries, and waiving any claims against the school, coaches, and school officials.

In rare situations in which student athletes are not properly supervised or provided with adequate protective equipment, schools and school officials may have liability for injuries caused by such negligence.

In addition to a student athlete's assumption of the risks inherent in participating in athletics, public schools are generally immune from liability under the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity that protects governmental entities—including public schools—from lawsuits and legal liability.

In California, student athletes are typically considered to have assumed the risks associated with participating in school sports. This assumption of risk is often formalized through the signing of a waiver or release form, where the student acknowledges the inherent dangers and agrees not to hold the school or related parties liable for injuries that occur as a result of those inherent risks. However, if a student athlete is injured due to a lack of proper supervision or inadequate protective equipment, the school or officials may be held liable for negligence. Despite the assumption of risk by the athlete, California law does provide some exceptions to the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which generally protects public schools from liability. Under the California Government Code, public entities can be liable for injuries resulting from dangerous conditions of public property, including schools, if the entity had knowledge of the risk and failed to take action. Additionally, gross negligence or intentional acts by school officials that result in injury can also overcome sovereign immunity protections.